WEBVTT ARE FOSTERPARENTS THEMSELVES.THIS HAS BEEN A HALLMARK ISSUEFOR THEM.>> WE TRIED TO ADOPT THROUGH THEFOSTER SYSTEM IN KENTUCKY SOMEYEARS AGO.THE SYSTEM WAS BROKEN.IT NOT WORK WELL.REPORTER: GOVERNOR MATT BEVANAND FIRST LADY HAVE NINECHILDREN, FOUR OF THEM ADOPTED.THEY WERE TURNED DOWN THE FIRSTTIME THEY TRY ADOPTION.>> 350 YOUNG PEOPLE ARE RIGHTNOW FULLY ABLE TO AND DESIROUSOF BEING ADOPTED.AS MORE THAN 6000 CHURCHES INKENTUCKY.THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY CHILD INKENTUC ABLE TO BE ADOPTED,READY TO BE ADOPTED, WANTING TOBE ADOPTED, WHO DOES NOT HAVE AHOME.REPORTER: THE BEVAN'S ARECALLING ON NONPROFITS, THE FAITHCOMMUNITY, AND OTHER PARENTS TOSTEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FINDWAYS TO IMPROVE KENTUCKY'SFOSTER CARE SYSTEM.>> THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE WHO WEARE.MOSES HAD A FOSTER MOTHER.PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER SAW THEBASKET AND SAID, HE'S NOT MINE,BUT I CLAIM HIM.REPORTER: THE SECRETARY FORHEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES RAISETHE STATE'S SOCIAL WORKERS ANDPLEDGED MORE RESOURCES ANDTRAINING.>> THEY PUT THEIR LIFE AT RISKDAY AND NIGHT TO KEEP PEOPLE

Governor Matt Bevin unveiled a new initiative Friday to help more children in Kentucky find foster homes.

It's called Open Hearts/Open Homes. Bevin made the announcement at an event called Summit To Save Our Children.

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He said he will simplify the adoption and foster process for families.

"We've got to rethink the entire process. And I'm asking those of you who actually understand it to be part of the solution," Bevin said.

Bevin appeared with his wife, Glenna Bevin. The couple has nine children, and four of them are adopted.

They were turned down the first time they tried adoption.

"Three hundred and fifty, plus or minus, young people are right now, fully able to, and desirous of being adopted. There's more than 6,000 churches in Kentucky. (pauses, gets emotional) There should not be any child in Kentucky able to be adopted, ready to adopted, wanting to be adopted, who does not have a home," Bevin said.

The Bevins are calling on non-profits, the faith-based community and other parents to step up to the plate and find ways to improve Kentucky's foster care system.

Bevin and Vickie Glisson, secretary for health and family services, praised the state's social workers and pledged more resources and training.

"They put their life at risk, day and night, to keep people safe, to keep children safe, to keep families safe," Glisson said.

Bevin said he will streamline the adoption process and reduce the fees that adoptive parents have to pay.